Books for Adopted Adults

Being Adopted: The Lifelong Search for Self by David M. Brodzinsky, Ph.D.; Marshall D. Schechter, MD & Robin Marantz Henig (1992)
I recommend this book often. I find it useful for parents and professionals. It overlays potential adoption developmental tasks on Erik Erickson’s model of developmental tasks. It’s value to adopted adults would be to understand some of the processes they went through or are going through.

The Adoption Reader: Birth Mothers, Adoptive Mothers and Adopted Daughters Tell Their Stories, Edited by Susan Wadia-Ellis, (1995) The stories in this book are often eloquent and moving, even controversial. The women’s voices are very honest.

Adoption Reunion Survival Guide: Preparing Yourself for the Search, Reunion and Beyond, by Julie Jarrell Bailey & Lynn N. Giddens, MA (2001) Great suggestions on “do’s" and "don’ts.” Bailey and Giddens review preparation, pitfalls and legal issues.

Sacred Connections: Stories of Adoption Essays by Mary Ann Koenig (2000) A very honest book, sometimes difficult to read because of the pain. Adults that were adopted may find shared feelings with some of the story subjects.

Searching for a Past: The Adopted Adults Unique Process of Finding Identity by Jayne Schooler (1995) A realistic and sensitive look at real feelings, real barriers and, real pain and certainly real joy.